Wiring the lights in my school bus house: third time's the charm // school bus conversion part 37

This week I tried my hand at wiring in what will someday be the 12v ceiling lights in my school bus tiny house. What should've been an easy task took three tries because of they way that I am - hopefully this plan will still work once my ceiling is in. Stick around until the end if you want to see me play the violin horribly.
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[@ericmiddelbos129]

HOW I SEE YOU STRUGGLING WITH YOUR PROBLEMS DURING CONSTRUCTION. BUT HOW PROUD I AM OF YOU.

[@jimbooth3]

I spent years wiring elevator controllers and repairing wiring harnesses in an auto factory. All connectors were crimped. The only time a wire was soldered was if there was a break in the harness. A good crimper would save you hours in time & effort.

[@bob-ny6kn]

Your work had access panels, a building full of tradespeople, and climate controlled. Her building is undergoing weather extremes and connections need to be permanent, or she has to wreck her house to fix a corroded connection. I did decades of soldering and crimping. I prefer soldering.

[@corydriver7634]

Those Solder-seal-connector-thingys are actually a very good way to make a wire connection. Soldering is good too as long as you do it correctly, using shrink tube is also a good idea.

[@paulhill2426]

emma as an electrical engineer you have just made my day with your lighting project love watching your videos and good luck finishing your bus 👍👍👍

[@EmmaBuildsBirbie]

thanks, glad you're here! hopefully you'll warn me if I do anything atrocious 😅

[@paulhill2426]

@@EmmaBuildsBirbie ill let you know hows the roof is it still in place

[@zalleywaalley8227]

The violin is such a beautiful instrument

[@nealmurphy647]

Past Emma would be proud of present Emma, I'm sure! 👍

[@EmmaBuildsBirbie]

I hope so 😊

[@jjryansea]

As usual, my favorite parts are when you’re pantomiming your design choices. It’s like watching sausage being made. Stay with me here.....The only important thing is the result. Fun as always, thanks again.

[@EmmaBuildsBirbie]

thank you!

[@dougintothesunset]

Those who get the most out of a process are often the ones who court failure with abandon. Imagine the growing list of things you know how to do, you can't buy that kind of education. Thanks Emma!

[@EmmaBuildsBirbie]

you always leave the best comments 😊😊

[@dougintothesunset]

@@EmmaBuildsBirbie :)

[@yannbicking4087]

You give everything for this project = To make your wonderful dream come true. It is admirable

[@TheBlake27]

Starts video. Emma "I'm gonna leanr how to solder" Pauses video, makes 🍿 😂 Love watching you learn as you go! Keep at it!

[@shawnjohnson3936]

Emma, you are doing a great job trying to solder. I'll give you a valuable point, change the soldering tip to the chisel tip (I see you have five tips total, its the one that is large and blunt). It will provide more heat to your work. I know you read the directions like you said in the video. I didn't see you tin the tip. This is a very important point. First step , plug in the soldering iron, turn temperature up to the max(you can always turn it down if it is too hot), this usually takes between 2 to 5 minutes depending on the soldering iron(wattage) to heat up to temperature. Second step, touch the solder to the tip, let it melt becomes like a bubble on the tip of the iron, leave it heat until the solder flows up the soldering tip, do this on both sides of the chisel tip. Third step, clean the tip with the yellow damp sponge(this removes the oxidation and the tip will look silver). This is the tinning process. Fourth step, apply solder to the soldering tip only on one side of the soldering tip(this will help with heat transfer to the wires). Yes, again! Fifth step, move soldering iron tip to the work(the wires or connections that need to be soldered). Put soldering iron tip that has solder on it to the bottom of the wires and apply solder to the copper wires on the top. Wait until the solder flows, it will cover the copper wires by sucking the solder up and around the wires to form a good electrical connection. Sixth step, pull the solder away when you have enough solder, leave the soldering iron tip on the wires until the solder flows completely around the wires. I hope this helps (why the soldering iron wasn't getting hot enough), even this might be too late as I see you went with the solderless connectors. Have a positive mind, you can do anything your heart desires.

[@trinawiggins9910]

That pup sure is getting big. I have been watching you since you drove the bus home. I really enjoy them all. Thank you for sharing your journey. I am looking forward to seeing you living full time in the bus and the places you will go.

[@EmmaBuildsBirbie]

thanks so much!!

[@KC8YPK]

I must give you credit for the effort you have put in. A few suggestions 1. Routing wire just above the windows allowing access later if any issues come up. 2. Soldering is the best way to go, crimping is next. A good mechanical crimp will work in places that Soldering isn't possible. 3. The Soldering pencil you have looks low power, 40 watts or less, a larger one would help. 4. Definitely need a wiring map. Start by sketching a over view of your bus. Placing locations of all lights and DC plugs. Then where the switches need to be. Then run wire to meet the outline. 5 You mentioned your closet, if you wanted to place lights. When in doubt run wires. If not used oh well. Easier if not used then to add later. When in doubt add wiring. Just incase you decide later to add. 6. You also need to know where you want to place your batteries and use a fuse block for safety. Keep it up, stay motivated and you will be in your Schoolie home by spring.

[@billsandrelli957]

I am convinced you can do what ever you set your mind to

[@DavetheUberSlave]

Run extra wires that you’re not going to use you will need them in the future. I was thinking use staples but I was worried if they would damage the wire. You will build the bus before you learn to play a song on the violin.

[@Saint-eg7yg]

Billy Joel, no better project tunes!!! Great job

[@grosseileracingteam]

Soooo.. having done lots of 12 volt auto/truck/marine wiring/lighting etc. over the past 40+ years, I would like to suggest a few things for you to discuss w/your electrical enginerd friend. Make a wiring diagram (it'll be like having a map to follow) for the install and future service reference. Put the right size circuit breaker at the battery. Buy a marine grade fuse box. Protect the wires in either PVC conduit or wire loom. If you are just using 12 V DC LED lamps, just use the body of the bus to ground your lights. You would use a lot less wire. Just sayin'. ;-]

[@EmmaBuildsBirbie]

thanks! also did you mean to write "enginerd" or was that just a really fortunate typo 😂

[@djpWilson]

@@EmmaBuildsBirbie speaking as one, he definitely meant enginerd. :)

[@grosseileracingteam]

@@EmmaBuildsBirbie You tell me if enginerd describes your friend. That came from the YT channel AvE. I think he actually has a PhD in engineering but he is hilarious & has over 1 Million subs. Good luck w/Birbie.

[@xavierpendrag0n]

solderless crimp connectors are the way to go. If you want to do solder type as well, they have connectors that do both. a good pair of crimpers and good connectors are the key. soldering is not something you can just pick up overnight. It took a while for me to get to where I could functionally repair something using a soldering iron. nylon-in-solderless crimp for the appropriate gauge wire. if in doubt about a connection, rework it till it passes your pull test. I would consider a wire chase to be figured into your plan at some point.

[@gconant01]

Emma, you should raceways (wiremold) for your wiring. Use 2. One for battery, the other for data. Makes it easy to make repairs or add functionality. Mount along sides above windows

[@DoubleDeckerFam]

Looks like your bus is coming along nicely! We’ve been watching your videos since Thanksgiving when Preston told us about your build. Looking great!

[@EmmaBuildsBirbie]

Thanks! I'm following you guys now too!

[@hallowther9735]

I have to agree with some others who have commented , by the time you finish the bus, you will learn a lot. I converted a bus back in 1980. I would like to make a suggestion. Take time to draw out on paper the wiring and plumbing and placement of cabinets and closets ( sort of in overlays ) . With a picture of your kitchen you can say I need light here and here and a switch can go here away from water. You can think about it and revise it and then decide before you even put a wire to the framing. The same goes for plumbing , source to tank , to pump . Cold split to hot water heater and bath and kitchen . Hot water from heater to bath to kitchen.. You may revise the plan 3 times on paper but, you will only have to do the work once. ( with luck ) When I did my bus, I didn't know anything about plumbing or wiring and a lot of things but, I learned too. As I watch your video and others, I play with the idea of doing another bus myself. All the best, Hal

[@ttortori]

If you want to make your life easier (electrical/solder wise), “tin” the wire ends BEFORE trying to connect the two ends. Strip wires about 1/2” from the end. Twist the strands a bit (like licorice) With a HOT soldering iron (hold below) and feed solder into the wire, NOT the soldering iron tip. It will take a few seconds for the wire to heat up enough to “suck the solder into the wire (called “tinning”). THEN, twist both (pre tinned) ends together. Lastly, hit the twisted/tinned junction one last time with the soldering iron, and a BIT more solder. GOOD CONNECTION. Also, get some appropriate sized heat shrink tubing and “pre slide” (for lack of a better term) on to the tinned wire ends BEFORE twisting/joining. Good on you for safety glasses/venting. Never solder barefoot, or in shorts :-) OUCH!

[@meqqui8249]

Croquet is cool! Emma you are too cool! Now you are learning how to solder! Yes lights in the closet! 💪🏻👍☺️ Both, the bus into a house, and in your down time, the song on the violin!

[@Incaensio]

Those solder seal connectors are actually quite good if used properly. 🙂

[@TheTinyPowerhouse6163]

Emma, you've got a beautiful singing voice. If you're worried about lights being too much, you could separate them into two or more switches.

[@EmmaBuildsBirbie]

thank you!

[@donaldd.293]

Amazing job. You have come a long way in a short time.

[@DavetheUberSlave]

Try to keep an open floor plan.. leave a lot of extra wire and try to bundle them into pathways. Get some zip ties. If you can tug on them those connectors are good. There’s got to be something you can press into that foam that will hold the wires in place

[@robinhoward9113]

Not worried, you are very capable of doing this. video showed the basics, and you practice. You've got good handle on it. you can do both. one can be stress release for the other

[@EmmaBuildsBirbie]

💙

[@14mtaylor]

Pro tip: a soldering iron station where the hand held iron plugs into a base and the base has heat setting on it and then the base plugs into the wall works WAY better that the kind of iron that plugs directly into the wall. They get a lot hotter and work better. Also the correct type of solder is important to use. "Rosin-core solder" is best for copper stranded wires. I usually don't use flux with that. (don't use solder that contains acid. It can damage wires). It looks like you are doing it the right way though.

[@EmmaBuildsBirbie]

thanks!

[@sjporr]

Soldering is cool but those connectors are legit so your good!! Nice update

[@DisHsDd]

15:55 - "Nobody can stop me." 🤣🤣🤣 THAT should be on a t-shirt! ... or on the other side of the t-shirt that says "hopefully it's fine"😏

[@patrickstoner9770]

I used to do a lot of soldering years ago, I'm talking hundreds per day and day after day. The first thing I learned that soldering is not for mechanical strength. The connection between the two wires or a wire and a terminal should be mechanically strong first. The solder is there to provide good connectivity. The other thing is that soldering can start to break down with vibration so may not be the best thing in car or bus. However, having since built a couple of rally cars, several off roaders and a camper or two, still find the best way is a crimped and soldered terminal. The crimp for the mechanical strength and the solder for the conducting qualities. Maybe I should have mentioned this before you did all the work. Then I could have mentioned that stripping wires with tin snips is bad. Keep the soldering iron hot and still and then the solder will melt and flow. But very well done for a first try.

[@doglife5441]

You are so funny. A bad way in a good way you'll figure it out you've gone this far

[@corvettedoc1]

So now that you're just taping the wires to the foam and not having it in wire ways through the walls and ceiling how will you mitigate crushing your wires under your wood and possibly drilling into them? Ya still time to fix that! Cut grooves into the foam for it to lay in and use spray foam to bond it in the groove using toothpicks to bridge the groove holding the wire into the groove till the spray foam drys and at your wood stringers make notches with a router for them to pass through too. The metal roof ribs you have to figure around. or above your flat area drill passthrough and add grommets so the wire doesn't chaff. Good Luck! doing fine.

[@leonhart2452]

If your using rosin core solder you don't need the soldering paste. A pencil type 25-45 watt soldering iron is ok for some small jobs. The wiring like you are doing a 100 watt soldering gun heats much quicker and hotter. This speeds up the soldering. Before you put up the ceiling you can temporarily hang the lights of your wood frame on the ceiling. Wire them up and see how well they light up the area they will be lighting. This way if they are either not enough or too much you can adjust them before you do the ceiling. Once you have that figured out then do the ceiling. If you start at one edge of the ceiling you put up boards to where the lights are you can cut the holes in the boards. Mount the lights. Put up boards then wire them in. Then just add boards til you get to the next row of lights, repeat then move on. This give easier access to the wiring than putting up all the boards and trying to fish out the wires.

[@EmmaBuildsBirbie]

thanks!

[@JB-dz1zc]

Ha, great video! Trials and tribulations, no matter what, in the end you get it! So funny with the violin! I really thought you could play!? Any who, now you can start the ceiling, very exciting. Very entertaining, by the way, I personally would go with crimping wire connections. It is much easier. Looking good Emma, keep smiling! 🚃👍🚃👍🚃👍🚃

[@EmmaBuildsBirbie]

lol noooo I've never touched a violin in my life 😂 thanks!

[@jenniferlowe-brewer8083]

Thank you for making this video... I've been at a total standstill at this point, totally afraid to tackle this!

[@EmmaBuildsBirbie]

just remember there is always a good chance I'm doing it wrong!! 😊💙

[@richardb8492]

Just a little suggestion from someone who is not a electrical enginerd. Butt connectors make it easy but learning to solder is a skill you should learn, it’ll be a worthwhile skill and cheaper in the long run. The soldering iron you’re using looks very small, not getting hot enough. Depending on the solder type leaded 60/40 solder is the easiest and requires less temperature. Lead free solder requires a lot hotter soldering iron. One thing to know is that when soldering the wires they draw the heat out of the solder iron, reducing the effectiveness of the iron. Joining the wires before soldering draws a lot more heat and reduces the efficiency of the soldering iron. You should always Pre-tin the tip of your new soldering iron tip before first use as it will allow the solder to flow through the wires easier. Use the sponge that was supplied in the kit to clean the tip of the soldering iron. Also with a small iron like that it’s best to pre-tin each wire, before joining the wires put some solder on each wire, then solder the two wires together. The other good thing about pre-tinning the wires is that you can dip each wire in the flux rather than use your finger. Lastly, putting the soldering iron underneath is correct but to get the flow of solder to start dab a little solder on the tip then move the solder back to the top.

[@EmmaBuildsBirbie]

thank you!!

[@RodRuth]

Your brother is correct regarding the wires. Using Mar connectors etc. is not the best idea; properly soldering is the way to go. Emma, make sure any exposed wires, and solder are sealed using shrink tubes when completed. You don't want any conduction outside of the wire itself. I'm not sure if you used them. They are pretty easy to use. For your purpose, connecting the wires end to end, by pushing the strands together and twisting them, is the best option. The best way to solder, is to heat one side of the wire really hot, then touch the other side with the solder. This will allow good pentation, and a good connection. It's best not to overdue the amount of solder applied, you just need enough for good pentation. It should look silver without any black spots without it being gloopy. It seems a few more violin lessons is a requirement.....lol. Well done my lady. I'm in your corner.........

[@EmmaBuildsBirbie]

thanks!

[@14mtaylor]

Usually when I put a lot of work into something and it falls apart, that is a good thing. I always do it better the second time! Make sure you heat shrink all of you wire connections. A shorted wire or a wire grounding out on the metal bus would be a nightmare to find and fix. A literal Do-Over. Take a ton of pictures of everything and do videos for yourself talking through where all the wires are. Nothing is worse than having a problem and having NO idea where any wires are.

[@francoisg1393]

Seeing one of your videos pop up just excited me! Yay, not Birbie (and Emma). I love watching builder videos, but I just say, I enjoy people learning on the fly just as much or more than any of the expert. Fascinating journey. You're not doing it the way I would (I'm even more of an amateur, so what do I know), so I look forward to see how it will turn out! Keep up the good, and sometimes not so good, work! There's a solution to every problem.

[@francoisg1393]

More Birbie *, not "not Birbie"

[@EmmaBuildsBirbie]

thanks! lol I'm not sure anyone would (or should) do it the way I am 😅

[@francoisg1393]

@@EmmaBuildsBirbie if we all did things the same way, we wouldn't have anything original. Think of your bus home as... art. 😜 Speaking of art, I love it when you sing. Lovely voice! Nice bus acoustics!

[@EmmaBuildsBirbie]

@@francoisg1393 haha thank you!

[@terrybrannigan9963]

I'm binge watching all your episodes in order to get caught up. So I can't watch this one yet. It's amazing watching what you've learned, accomplished. I've got my own bus I'm building. You're inspiring me.

[@EmmaBuildsBirbie]

thank you 😊😊

[@terrybrannigan9963]

@@EmmaBuildsBirbie I'm all caught up now. I'm not sure if you've thought of this already but be aware of any place that the wiring goes over the strips that your ceiling or wall boards will fasten to. You don't want to pinch any wires. You can just cut a channel for them. Can't wait to see the solar setup. I'm just itching to work on mine now.

[@HOODS]

A little solder melted onto the tip of the soldering iron I've found helps conduct the heat to the wire faster then feed solder into the wire. I like using a small butane torch lighter better. It's faster. Happy late Thanksgiving

[@charmaineslater7632]

Hey!! Great job 👏 learning as go is the best way to learn 😊

[@EmmaBuildsBirbie]

thank you!

[@stevenmoomaw6173]

Can't wait intell your finish with the bus

[@cheryljoynson7053]

Tea !! Lol that is not proper tea. You're doing really excellent with the bus xx 👏👏🇬🇧

[@EmmaBuildsBirbie]

haha 😅 thank you!

[@techshoptalk375]

Oh, also don't forget the ground wires. You may be able to ground to the frame of the ceiling but I would probably ground closer to the chassis which would be the frame that is underneath the vehicle. Not directly on it but a piece of metal that is closely attached to it. you can take all the ground wires to a single location and ground them at the same place. I know it's frustrating but look how far you have come. You are doing well. Don't get down.

[@EmmaBuildsBirbie]

thanks!! ground wires are already in too :)

[@DNA930]

Good job. Cute pup.

[@Incaensio]

Yes! Croquet in the woods, lol!

[@makeityourself5016]

Hey emma. I'm actually about to graduate from electrical engineering and I have a few tips for you about electronics. About soldering. Solder didn't want to melt because you were using a wrong tip on the soldering iron. That on is used for more precise electronic elements like pins of integrated circuits. For what you are doing you should find the biggest tip because it brings a lot more heat into the wires. Then about fumes. It's not healthy to breathe them, especcialy the ones that have Pb inside. Breathing occasionaly isn't a problem. Problem is when workers solder every day and dont have fume extraction. Solder with lead is a lot nicer to work with and gives better results and I would suggest you using that one instead of lead free.

[@EmmaBuildsBirbie]

thank you!!

[@seekersofrhythm]

Soldering is a good skill to have, however the self soldering connection is fine as long as you make sure that it heated enough for the solder to heat up. Use a mini blow tourch that you use for creme burleigh. Stay safe J.

[@patriciaharkin1571]

The bus project wasn't enough of a challenge, so now you're gonna learn the violin? 😂 Girl you are a glutton for punishment! Joking, I love the violin, my dad used to play and taught me and all my siblings to play too and not one of us could read music, we all played by ear. 🤣🤣🤣 You will master the violin just like you are mastering all the bus projects. Keep up the great work.

[@EmmaBuildsBirbie]

thank you!! yeah I don't know why I feel the need to make my life harder at every possible opportunity 😅

[@johannawykes7584]

Great job on wireing,bus is coming along nicely,pitty about the 🎻 but like most things u do keep at it an will finally come throw for you xx🇮🇪xx🇺🇸

[@mlong1958]

Don't feel bad about soldering. The Navy sent me to a two week school to learn basic soldering and another two week school to learn micro-miniature soldering (under a microscope). All of the videos I've seen on KZbin don't really show the proper way to solder wires. But, as long as the solder joint is shiny and the wires don't come apart with moderate pressure, good enough.

[@ronaldsnider8078]

You should end up with two blues at the switch. 1 from the panel, 1 from the light. Your mother color will be groundedyo the body of the buse or at the grounding bar in your panel. The ground should be at the panel. This all 12v systems.

[@jeff824]

My French Bulldog, Obie, barked at the end. I didn't know he could. lol

[@danielwood2134]

Great job ,I just finished wiring my pontoon boat that I build from the ground up,wiring sucks lol ❤️

[@EmmaBuildsBirbie]

that sounds terrifying 😂

[@melodyhopponen7504]

Love watching, you are doing GREAT

[@EmmaBuildsBirbie]

thank you!!

[@ribbleslipscomb5171]

Hi Emma, I hope you enjoyed your time with your grandmom on Thanksgiving and other relatives. You are doing just fine, I think it is easier to learn how to play the violin given the bus buildout is a larger undertaking. Nonetheless, press on Emma, you have determination for both.

[@norm5785]

You did a very nice job, put in your wiring for your closet and anything else you may want. You will be so glad you did, not having a fixture where you need one is unpleasant. Have a wonder weekend.

[@EmmaBuildsBirbie]

thank you!

[@lawrenceperham256]

you are doing great. don"t be too hard on yourself.

[@EmmaBuildsBirbie]

thank you 😊

[@lacey397]

doing a great job

[@moustachemike7128]

I hope some where in the comments some one suggested to learn tinting and what helps too ..pre flux the wire to aid solder flow...2cents...cheers...p.s use shrink tube to cover the joints..or just use the connectors less Hassel ..lol

[@user-it7oj5hn8i]

Love me some Emma 🎉😊

[@snakeboren4814]

🆒 VIDEO EMMA!!!!

[@angelachesney8371]

It’s coming together! Great job 👍

[@EmmaBuildsBirbie]

thank you!!

[@zalleywaalley8227]

I have a challenge for any of the south constrained solar system batteries. I am in Iowa I currently have one 250 W solar panel, and with disabilities I do not have the ability to hang anything else. However I do have two diesel heaters that need to be powered through the night. So I need diesel heaters that are sensitive enough to not drain 300 amp hour batteries overnight. I will add another solar panel if necessary and another battery. But it will take time.

[@Alberto_Abad]

For a weld on a table, an electric welder is good ... but for a weld like the ones you do on the bus, the best is a mini-butane torch, they are great for those welds and to place the heat shrinks that are used to protect those welds

[@AB-C1]

Great video! All the HEAVY DUTY LiFePo4 battery Pack terminals etc running to the main loom, now are crimped instead of soldered (as I found out whilst looking how to do this for when I do my own conversion next year!) So I understand anyway!!?? ... I Saw someone try to solder their connectors, went wrong crimped em instead and checked with the top man on internet (one of) and that's the way to go! BUT you HAVE to have a GREAT CRIMPER!! NOT some Ali Baba cr@p lol 😅👍 Great video again! Cheers from London England 👍 Ps. I have no decorations up this year either as my house got flooded/wrecked downstairs! Who cares anyway.. it's only one day really! Be Spring/summer soon and save you a job of taking them down again! Lol 😅👍 love your videos and GREAT PROGRESS!! 😁👍😎🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@rodenystewart3590]

Beautiful good job

[@oklahomahomesteading.7813]

Emma, I've never had a soldier seal connector fail.

[@EmmaBuildsBirbie]

so good to hear!

[@reddsmorris7053]

I worked in auto for 50 years and was never harmed from the solder fumes

[@mrmotofy]

Would you actually know?

[@PermafrostBeards]

Oh, Belle our huskymix enjoyed this episode too! Ha ha.

[@PermafrostBeards]

We vote bus to house…. Ha

[@EmmaBuildsBirbie]

😊💙

[@bonitabowles6725]

You need to get ahold of Issac Turner on A bus life story...he knows everything about solar...I would reach out to him...

[@MelissaMalzahn]

You should be proud of yourself you have accomplished a lot so far. Keep up the good work.

[@EmmaBuildsBirbie]

thanks so much 💙

[@bryan17293]

That wire stripper is cheaper than a good pocket knife Ha Ha :)

[@Shiro-vd5iq]

you can hold a string with small weight to the ceiling to project points from the ceiling to the ground , also there is a small dial on the side of the soldering iron , might be turned down , Great job so far

[@EmmaBuildsBirbie]

thank you!

[@mrmotofy]

Called a plumb bob available officially in the construction tools dept. Or just use a weighted object for less accurate.

[@mrmotofy]

That wire is harder to use. For DC 12-24v wiring etc one can use speaker wire. Ideally the in wall rated stuff, basically the 2 conductors in an outer sheathing for better protection from abrasions. Some say use the frame as the Neg, yes technically one can, but you're better off wiring a direct Negative. Wires really should have been installed before foam. Holes drilled through wood or steel when possible and a rubber grommet in metals. Wire run flat across a steel surface then a board screwed down over it has a higher possibility of rubbing through and shorting out from the pressure and vibration. Then there's the whole fitment issue and wire thickness raising wall/roof covering off surface. Also screws/nails can easily puncture wires when attaching things. On the soldering, the wire or device needs to heat to the temperature to melt the solder. A higher wattage iron will heat faster. Larger wires need more heat=more power. A 22ga wire will go fast a 10ga wire will take a long time probably not at all with that size iron. You want surface area of iron to wire to transfer the heat. So a little glob of solder on tip of iron will help. Iron on 1 side, touch solder on other side...it will kinda wick into wire once it gets up to temp. Your local home store plumbing dept has a little brush for the flux.

[@HOODS]

Well that's better than I'd do on a violin.

[@robertdaggett6617]

Be sure to create a passage for the wire to travel so it is not sandwiched between the roof beams and the tongue and grove.

[@bretthibbs6083]

if you really want to learn on how to solder Emma you should watch some of the electronics repair guys here's a few D lab electronics, Xraytonyb and 12volt vids and uncle doug. From what I have seen from those guys is you put the iron on the work and feed the solder in the same spot as the iron and the solder will flow naturally or least it should anyways. Otherwise that one that you did on the table looked pretty good. I think you will do both Emma

[@johnberdrow3263]

TY b for the most entertaining videos. My one suggestion is to use wooden clothes pins to hang your wiring instead of tape. So much easier and makes the wiring less sloppy

[@EmmaBuildsBirbie]

thanks!

[@JustAskingAndCurios]

Sodering: Make sure the portion being soddered is clean free of grease. If you use flux & it starts bubbling then sodder the wires. Then use shrink wrap tube, heat it and you got a great splice! (Where would you be without Amazon?!)

[@alanwondergem2105]

Happy Belated Thanksgiving 💓

[@waywardwhippets2555]

Getting it ready!!!!! Let there be light!!!!! In my van I have battery operated Christmas lights and my phone flashlight LoL Happy belated Thanksgiving

[@thegringobaker]

"rightish, at least" LOL

[@fireisle]

Tee shirt slogan!!!

[@evilborg]

You aren't going to make enough solder smoke to even hurt yourself. Just don't put your face in the path. Also I would have used some sort of tubing to protect the wires at the roof joints, me personally I would have drilled holes and ran the wires through those.

[@EmmaBuildsBirbie]

good to know!

[@stevenpeck5949]

If you attach some of the ceiling with removeable fasteners (screws) you can repair or change things later. And I disagree with your brother, the one step connectors are just fine.

[@beachlife9419]

Not bad job 👍👍👍👍

[@roadmonitoroz]

Those "solder seal connectors" look suspiciously like just heat shrinks which are designed to just go around an already soldered joint (not to act as a solder point) By the looks of it you are using the same light duty gauge wire for everything. I certainly hope you've considered how much current the wires are rated for and the amount of current the load will be if all the lights are on. If that exceeds the amp capacity of the wires you could end up the it melting the insulation and shorting out / starting a fire. I personally would have run some heavy duty wire from where it connects to the battery (with a large fuse) along the edge of the bus and put a fuse box in appropriate positions for each section of the bus (i.e. bedroom / kitchen / livingroom / dining room / loungeroom / study / pool room / etc). This means if you have a short somewhere it blows out that fuse for the area and not the entire bus. If using that technique have a fuse just for the lights in that area and separate fuses for power sockets so if you blow out a socket you aren't in the dark. I even have this on my car with each add on gadget with a separate fuse (i.e. GPS tracker , reversing lights upgrade, side cameras, rear camera, front cameras, aux power sockets) . I also have a system set up so non essential items will automatically turn off if the battery voltage gets too low. When I built my own camper once I actually ran my main power cables in a small box type conduit along the ceiling with the lights and switches on it. This allows easy access later on incase you need to wire new stuff of if old stuff goes wrong. Ps Soldering irons take a while to heat up and you've got to hold it on the wire for a few seconds at least to get the wire hot enough for the solder to melt into it.

[@erikgeorge3770]

🤗❤️🤗🥰 new video ... yay ❤️ why do I feel the need to vote for learning a song on the violin first?

[@danielwood2134]

You know you will have to cut the holes for the lights as you when you put up the ceiling ❤️

[@djpWilson]

Go get 'em Emma! Love watching you learn and forge ahead. I don't know how far behind the videos are from real time, (and you probably know already) but you know you can test your wiring layout before you put up the ceiling? Just the same way you tested your fan - use a battery etc

[@EmmaBuildsBirbie]

just wait until you see the next video 😅🤦‍♀️

[@djpWilson]

@@EmmaBuildsBirbie i look forward to it!

[@tedzehnder961]

Your electrical engineer friend wants to know which fused circuit you are tapping into. Ha HA.

[@willywonka4139]

Good leaning, Emma. So many ways to solder wires... I wish you well with the "house" wiring phase. Out of curiosity, wouldn't framing the walls help with wire placement? The switches keep getting you tangled up with remembering to add them and placement. I suspect you'll have a mix of 12 volt DC (lights, etc.) and some 120 volt AC outlets. It'll be a tight race with learning an instrument and building Birbie. Tie, final answer.

[@EmmaBuildsBirbie]

you're totally right, I just wanted to put the ceiling in before walls. questioning that decision now though!

[@franciscoviola5599]

Love the shoes 😂 I m seeing the videos but I was not subscribed you win my heart now😅 Hoping for future videos and new fashions off course too Big hugs from Portugal Portimão 😁

[@EmmaBuildsBirbie]

hahah that's what did it for you?? 😂😂

[@franciscoviola5599]

Maybe we can say that the violin helped but 🙄... I'm just kidding 😁

[@EmmaBuildsBirbie]

@@franciscoviola5599hahah no worries, why do you think I hid that part at the very end 😅

[@michaelbrausch8874]

Em buy a seller soldering gun! Makes the job so much easier!

[@chrisallen9154]

If you are going to make a suggestion at least go to the trouble of correcting your spelling, WELLER. Will make it easier to find.

[@wasabiwarriorr8948]

I wore my Birbie sweatshirt to Costco when everyone was doing their thanksgiving grocery shopping so if you got a bunch of followers this past week it’s cause of me ok

[@EmmaBuildsBirbie]

hahaha amazing, thank you thank you 🙏🏻

[@stregaone4471]

💖💖💖

[@larswennskog5239]

Hi Emma! You made me a bit worried when you started to create the spider web of wires. Even with the new, much better looking installation I’m still a little concerned about the wires being squezed by the ceiling boards. Learning the violin 100% isn’t a piece of cake so my guess is that you will have the bus finished first. 🙂❤️

[@sandygraetz5166]

1st will be a song on the violin!